Who knows everything about you? Who knows the hidden parts of your life? Who knows the things you keep secret?
Maybe it’s your best friend,
Maybe it’s your spouse,
Maybe it’s no one.
We tend to hide certain parts of ourselves from others because of fear, shame, guilt, or embarrassment. Such hiding goes all the way back to the garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve hid themselves from God because of their sin. They were ashamed of their sin and afraid of God – so they ran away from Him instead of running to Him.
Sadly, this hiding is the opposite of what God intended for us. God made us to know Him and be known by Him. We weren’t created to hide from God or from one another… but sin has lied to us for so long we no longer feel comfortable being open, honest, and transparent with each other, let alone God.
So, how do we overcome the lie that tells us to hide?
By inviting God’s truth into our hearts and minds.
One of David’s most intimate Psalms ends with the words, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).
Because of his own (unsuccessful) attempts to hide sin, David learned that God already knew everything about his life. And in repenting, David also learned of God’s forgiveness to those who turn to him for help.
Instead of running away from God, David learned to run toward God.
Rather than hide his sins, David exposed them.
He exchanged his own ways for God’s way.
I invite you to do the same.
Maybe you’ve been trying to hide something for years… Perhaps you’ve tried to keep your distance because you’re afraid or ashamed of something you did… You might have a pattern of sin that you’re trying to keep concealed… Or deep down, you might be afraid that God will reject you because of something that happened… ALL SUCH THOUGHTS ARE BASED IN A LIE – the lie that says you can’t be forgiven, the lie that tells you to hide from God.
But the truth is, you were made to know God and be known by Him.
Instead of running from God, run toward Him.
Instead of hiding your sins, expose them.
Exchange your ways for God’s way.
Experience the joy and freedom of the life God wants you to have – being FULLY KNOWN, FULLY FORGIVEN, and FULLY ALIVE in Him.
May God richly bless you in His Son,
Dr. Aaron George Glover